The Basilica church stood untouched by time.
White stone rose toward the heavens, its arches grand yet gentle, as though built not to impress-but to welcome. Sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, scattering soft hues of gold and violet across the polished floors.
Esmeralda stepped inside.
The moment she crossed the threshold-
The noise of the world faded.
"...Hm."
She glanced around.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Suspiciously peaceful.
"...This is either a place of divine comfort," she murmured under her breath, "or the beginning of a very dramatic revelation."
Esmeralda traveled all the way to the Basilica Church in the far south. The journey was exhausting, but she considered it a fair trade for a temporary escape from the capital's chaos. Besides, she wanted to check on Serena after her first prophecy and, while she was there, see how her little "favor" regarding the Lilac's Disease was coming along.
"Lady Esmeralda."
Serena approached from the inner hall, her steps light, her presence serene.
Clad in simple white, she looked every bit the Saintess the people adored-gentle, radiant, untouched by the world's harsher edges.
And yet-
There was something in her eyes.
Something older.
"Saintess Serena," Esmeralda greeted, offering a graceful nod.
"It has been some time," Serena said with a soft smile. "I am glad you came."
She gestured for Esmeralda to walk with her.
They moved through the quiet corridors, their footsteps echoing faintly against the stone.
" How are you faring here?"
"The church has been... kind," Serena said after a moment.
Her voice was calm.
Content.
"I am well cared for. The sisters are gentle, and the clergy ensures I lack nothing."
Esmeralda glanced at her.
"You sound grateful."
"I am."
A small smile touched Serena's lips.
"They even allow me to visit the orphanage where I grew up, from time to time."
"That is generous of them."
"It is," Serena agreed softly. "Though I believe it is also for their peace of mind. They wish for the people to see that I remain... unchanged."
Esmeralda hummed.
"Yes. It would be unfortunate if their Saintess developed a personality."
Serena blinked.
Then-
Let out the faintest laugh.
They reached a quieter section of the Basilica, where sunlight poured in through a tall window, bathing the space in soft gold.
Esmeralda stopped.
"There is something I wished to ask," she said.
Serena turned to her.
"The Lilac's Disease."
The air shifted.
Subtly.
But unmistakably.
"...Your research," Esmeralda continued. "How is it progressing?"
Serena's expression softened, though concern flickered briefly in her gaze.
"I have read what I could," she said. "Ancient texts, records... fragments of past cases."
A pause.
"And I pray."
Esmeralda tilted her head slightly.
"...Consistently."
Serena smiled faintly.
"It is all I can do, for now."
Then-
Her tone grew quieter.
"The disease is not simple."
Esmeralda listened.
Carefully.
"It must be detected early," Serena explained. "Before the skin begins to change."
"...The purple coloration," Esmeralda said.
Serena nodded.
"Once it manifests, the illness begins to consume the body. It feeds on nutrients-on vitality."
Her fingers tightened slightly around her sleeve.
"By the time the color spreads... it is often too late."
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Measured.
Esmeralda's gaze lowered, thoughtful.
That's how it went for me in the book.
In the story-
Serena had learned how to detect Lilac's Disease before its symptoms appeared and it required her divine powers. But her discovery came too late-by then, Esmeralda in the story had already developed the purple skin, sealing a fate that could no longer be reversed.
"It's alright, Serena. Take your time. I'm certain you're doing your best," Esmeralda said, her smile soft and reassuring.
Serena's cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she looked at Esmeralda bathed in the church's light, her beauty almost unreal.
She looks like an angel.
Serena thought.
They walked in silence for a while after that.
Until-
"Lady Esmeralda..."
Serena's voice hesitated.
Uncertain.
Esmeralda glanced at her.
"Yes?"
Serena looked around.
Once.
Twice.
As if ensuring they were truly alone.
"...There is something I must tell you."
"What is it?" Esmeralda questioned.
"We must not talk here" Serena looked around and pulled Esmeralda's hands.
She led Esmeralda to a smaller chamber, tucked away from the main halls.
Quieter.
Secluded.
Safe.
The moment the door closed-
The air felt different.
Serena clasped her hands together, her usual calm wavering just slightly.
"The prophecy..." she began.
Esmeralda stilled.
"Yes?"
"It is true," Serena said softly. "The Goddess revealed that Amaria is the blessed child."
Of course.
That much-
Was expected.
Esmeralda nodded.
"I see."
But Serena didn't stop.
Her fingers tightened.
"...However."
A pause.
Then-
"I received another."
Esmeralda's gaze sharpened.
"...Another?"
Serena nodded slowly.
"I was alone. Praying. There was no ceremony. No witnesses."
Her voice dropped, barely above a whisper.
"And yet... the Goddess answered."
The room felt smaller.
Colder.
"What did she say?" Esmeralda asked.
Serena hesitated.
Then looked at her.
Directly.
"...That there is another blessed child."
Silence.
"A child who does not possess charm," Serena continued. "Who will not be adored by the world."
A breath.
"But one who can change her own fate."
Esmeralda didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Serena's gaze softened.
"...It spoke of your name, my lady."
Silence filled the room.
Thick.
Unyielding.
Then-
"...I beg your pardon?"
Serena lowered her head slightly.
"I did not tell anyone else," she said quickly. "I was afraid-"
"That they would think the church to be unreliable and question the Goddess' messages through you," Esmeralda finished.
Serena nodded.
"Yes. Two prophecies... it would cause doubt. Conflict."
"...Chaos," Esmeralda added.
"Yes."
A pause.
"...So you told me instead."
Serena looked up at her.
"You deserved to know."
Esmeralda stared at her.
For a long moment-
She said nothing.
Then-
"...You can change your fate," Serena said softly. "That is what the Goddess revealed. Although I am not sure how you can change something that does not happen yet but it is what the Goddess had whispered to me."
Esmeralda let out a slow breath.
"...That's very generous of her."
"Lady Esmeralda-"
"I mean," she added lightly, "it's a wonderful blessing. Truly. Very... flexible."
Serena looked at her, concern flickering.
"You do not seem surprised."
"I am," Esmeralda replied. "...Just not in the way one would expect."
A brief silence settled for a while.
"Lady Esmeralda, I do not fully understand what the Goddess intends for you, nor why this was revealed to me," Serena said softly, taking her hand. "But I do know this-you have a kind heart. I have no doubt in the Goddess's decision. I believe Her blessing upon you is a sign that this world is about to change... and that it will be for the better."
Esmeralda found no words to answer.
She only stared at Serena-
While her thoughts churned beneath the surface.
Later-
The carriage ride home was quiet.
Too quiet.
Esmeralda sat by the window, watching the world pass by in a blur of muted colors.
"...So," she murmured to herself.
"One blessed child who captures the world."
A pause.
"And one who rewrites it."
She leaned her head lightly against the glass.
"...What exactly is the Goddess planning?"
No answer came.
Of course.
"...And why me?"
Her reflection stared back at her.
Unchanged.
The same.
And yet-
Not.
Esmeralda closed her eyes briefly.
"...This is getting unnecessarily complicated."
A pause.
Then-
"...And to think all I ever wanted was a peaceful life."